April 13, 2020

In an open letter addressed to municipal and provincial officials, including Toronto Mayor John Tory and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, 313 physicians and nurse practitioners are calling for immediate action to help people experiencing homelessness and precarious housing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are seeing first hand the extreme toll that COVID-19 is taking on people who are the most marginalized … Conditions in Toronto’s shelters, boarding homes, 24-hour drop-ins and respite centres do not allow for physical distancing, putting both clients and staff at high risk for COVID-19,” the letter said.